Imposter
Part Seven
John flew the Puddle Jumper through the gate. Ronon sat next to him in the copilot's chair but focused all his energy on watching the Dart which followed the two Jumpers closely. The Jumper behind them was loaded with tough-looking marines. John smiled and could almost hear in his head Rodney making a snarky comment about "muscle heads."
The blackness of the sky seemed to envelop the ship and plunge them into a depression. John shook his head before focusing on the censors which quickly located the large wraith Hive ship. Life signs readings indicated that although the ship was large, there weren't many wraiths awake; most were in stasis.
The Jumper landed softly on the ground of an open meadow. John shifted in his seat, noting the positions of the other Jumper and the Wraith Dart and watching anxiously as they landed gently next to his. They set down outside of the view of the Hive ship, and the group would finish the trip on foot.
Ronon bounded from the Jumper the moment it touched ground and was followed by three marines. Ronon watched as Nathanial and Seamus materialized behind the Dart, and Michael began to climb out of the cockpit. Ronon continued to glare suspiciously as the three hybrids approached the Atlanteans. John stepped out of the Jumper and placed a reassuring touch on Ronon's arm before stepping forward to greet Michael.
"Well, Michael, what's your plan?" John asked, his face cold as he observed the wraith.
"I will take you to the back entrance and from there we will head for the throne room. The queen can usually be found there," Michael answered, keeping his eyes on Ronon.
Ronon continued to scowl, stepping forward in a threatening manner. His hand rested on his gun. John could see the energy stored up like a bomb, ready to explode. Major Lorne joined John and Ronon, setting his hand on Ronon's right hand.
"Keep your beast on a leash, Colonel. We have an alliance; I will not be threatened like some common criminal." Michael turned and gave John an angry glance.
"We don't need him any more, Sheppard." Ronon said simply.
John entertained that thought for a second, before shaking that off. "We made a deal Ronon. I may not like it, but I gave my word. Besides he may still come in handy."
Michael met his gaze and tipped his head in acknowledgement of John's words. "Follow me," Michael answered, turning to lead the Atlanteans towards the Hive ship.
The large troop was stealthily approach the hive ship. The marines followed the hand directions of the two Air Force pilots, taking turns covering each other to the door of the gate. Ronon followed keeping his eyes glued to the three hybrid-wraiths as the moved along.
They reached the door, and Michael stepped forward to release the hatch. The marines filed in one at a time. Ronon glowered at the former wraiths and gestured rudely for them to go first. Michael snarled back but stepped into the ship following the marines. John and Evan traded amused smiles before sliding in behind the runner.
The trip to the throne room went almost without incident. The marines moved silently through the ship encountering only a few wraiths. John kept the LSD out, continuously scanning the area around them. As they approached the throne room, John noted the three wraith life signs gathered in the room. Motioning to Evan they approached quietly.
The queen was not in the throne room. Instead there were three of the biggest wraiths John had ever seen, and they were ready for them. Six marines marched into the room and surrounded the wraiths. The large wraith guards took down four marines before their backup arrived. More wraiths filed in, and a full scale battle began.
When the dust settled there were thirteen dead wraiths. The Atlanteans had fared better, with seven wounded and only one marine casualty. Lorne sported what looked to become a full fledged black-eye while a marine wrapped a makeshift sling around Lorne's neck and arm.
"Nice little fight there, Major," John said, patting Evan on the back. "Are you gonna be okay?"
"Yes, sir!" Evan said, giving a mock salute with his good left hand. "I'm ready when you are."
John looked around the throne room slowly, viewing the mayhem. "Where's Michael?" John asked, finding the room short three important members of the group.
"Damn!" Ronon swore, slamming his fist into a wall before sprinting from the room. "I told you he couldn't be trusted!"
"Ronon, wait!" John said, racing after the Satedan. He turned and motioned to the marines near the door. "You five, with me now!"
∞SGA∞
The three hybrids seemed to float down the hall of the wraith ship, making their way to the queen's chamber. Michael led the way while the other two followed behind, scanning each hall as they reached an intersection. Michael took no notice of the ship around him; his sole focus was on their destination.
"Keep moving," Michael hissed at his men, "It won't be long before they come after us."
As they approached the queen's chamber the sound of angry wraith shrieks could be heard from behind them. Nathanial and Seamus looked back nervously, while Michael pressed on. The doors to the queen's chamber appeared before them, and Michael stopped to give the other two a chance to catch up.
"Time to get back what should be ours!" Michael stepped forward, pushed open the door, and the three stepped in.
∞SGA∞
Carson scooted back, rising up as he flattened himself against the door. His arm hurt and the feeling was gone from his fingers. The doctor was hot and sticky from the blood that soak his shirt, and the smell of copper burned his nostrils. Carson's eyes remained closed as he tried to shut out the queen but she leaned forward, her feeding hand pressing towards his chest.
"Please," Carson whispered. "I did what I needed to do to protect my friends." Carson's voice died softly as he lost his strength.
"Well, that is your misfortune. Where are your friends now?" The queen's evil laugh froze Carson's heart as he began to slip into darkness.
The strangled scream that blasted in Carson's ear dragged him back from the oblivion. The queen's head was pulled back at a painful angle. The hand that rested on his chest curled, scratching him as she made a fist. She struggled with another behind her, her voice screeching in frustrated anger and pain.
Carson moved as quickly as he could, sliding out from under her, his good arm pulling with every last ounce of strength. Once out of his trapped position, Carson raised his eyes to get a look at his rescuer.
Michael??! Why did he come back? Why is he helping me? Carson's mind reeled from the image in front of him. Michael was gaining the upper hand, yanking her head back by her hair. His free hand reached around, grabbing her by her neck, slamming her down on the floor and pinning her waist down.
The queen howled in fury, her clawed fist slamming into Michael's chin. The hybrid's head snapped back, but he did not loose his hold on her. Her knee thrust up, catching Michael in the stomach. Michael grunted in pain, knocking her leg out of the way.
Carson watched in fascination as Michael's free hand reached around behind him and produced a long knife. The grim look of determination on his face was terrifying to Carson, and he wanted to look away but couldn't. He watched as Michael sunk the knife deep into the queen's chest. Her screech would have shattered glass. Her fingers clawed at Michael, raking at the skin on his face, drawing blood as she sliced into his cheek. Michael paid no attention to her as he twisted the knife deeper. The queen made a sickening gurgle as she coughed and moaned, breathing her last breath.
Michael dropped her lifeless body to the floor and turned his attention on Carson. What made me think he was here to help me? Carson realized he was actually no better off now than before as Michael looked him over with a solemn eye.
"Why don't you plead with me for your life? Maybe I'll let you live," Michael eyes were hard as he growled at the human doctor.
Carson swallowed before replying. "I will na beg! Ye will do what you feel anyway. Just know, what I did, I did for our survival. I am sorry that I hurt ye," Carson spoke softly as the lack of blood stole his breath along with his strength.
Michael tipped his head and narrowed his eyes as if he could see right into Carson's soul. His feeding hand pulled back before slamming into Carson's chest. Carson cried out in pain as he felt himself changing.
The momentary sharp pain which jolted through Carson's body receded into a dull ache spread which spread through his shoulder and down his injured arm. Carson moaned softly. He opened his eyes in surprise, meeting Michael's gaze.
The wraith's eyes seamed nearly human as they looked into Carson's. His lips curled back in an awkward smile. Michael leaned forward and brought his mouth close to Carson's ear. "We were even: you hurt me, I hurt you. But now you owe me! And I will not forget to collect on that Carson Beckett."
Michael stood up abruptly. He stepped back away from Carson before turning to the battle behind him. Nathanial and Seamus had managed to finish off the last of the wraith guards, leaving Teyla and Rodney on the floor, unconscious.
The ache in Carson's chest continued to throb, but he experimentally stretched his arm. He healed me?! Carson sat up slowly, watching the three hybrids head for the main door. Michael paused at the exit and turned to look at Carson. "Watch for me to collect. When I do, you remember this moment." And with that the former wraith floated out of the room.
Carson sat stunned for a few moments before snapping out of it. He scrambled past the dead queen, purposely not looking at the knife sticking into her chest. As he reached the sprawled bodies of his friends, he went into doctor-mode. Carson first pulled back Teyla's eye lids and then Rodney's before checking both for broken bones.
The sound of running feet brought the fear back. Carson stood up and looked around the room before finding Rodney's discarded candle stick. He slid behind the open door, hiding where he best could see the intruder. As a shadow moved across him, Carson began his swing.
Ronon's hand caught the candle stick and yanked it out of Carson's hand.
"Ronon!" Carson said with joyous relief, and immediately exhaustion took hold and his legs gave way beneath him.
TBC
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